Facts and FIndings

The Data

Heart failure has become a major public health issue affecting millions of Americans. A person’s race or ethnicity should not put them more at risk for having heart failure - but unfortunately, it does. African Americans are more at risk for heart failure than any other race or ethnic group. But fortunately, a proven treatment exists.

Heart Failure is a Growing Health Concern

About 5.1 million people in the United States are living with heart failure

An estimated 400,000 to 700,000 new cases of heart failure are diagnosed each year

The number of deaths in in the United States from heart failure has more than doubled since 1979, averaging 250,000 annually

About half of people who develop heart failure die within 5 years of diagnosis

Heart Failure has a Unique, Disparate Impact on African Americans

Heart failure is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and mortality in the African-American population than among whites

African Americans tend to acquire heart failure at an earlier age with more advanced heart damage

African-Americans under the age of 50 have a 20% higher prevalence of heart failure compared to whites under the age of 50

African American men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white men

Innovative Therapy for African Americans with Heart Failure is Available

According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, fixed dose ID/H reduced mortality for African American patients with heart failure by 43%

According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, fixed dose ID/H also showed a 39% reduction in first time heart failure-related hospitalization and a substantial improvement in patient-reported quality of life factors

Access to Recommended Therapy is Limited, Contributing to Ongoing Disparities

Despite the strong clinical evidence, only 22% of eligible heart failure patients receive fixed dose ID/H or either of its components upon discharge from a heart failure-related hospital admission

In spite of Class 1A recommendation, less than 10% of eligible patients on Medicare Part D are receiving ID/H therapy